xxxx xx INSIDE: Fairfax now has 11 ‘Fortune 500’ HQs • See Page 19 Nothing goes better with your morning coffee than your local See What’s 7 9 16 paper. VIENNA BOARD CHAIR PLENTY Brewing SELECTS TOUTS COVID OF SPORTS Text SUNGAZETTE to 22828 A NEW RECOVERY FOUND to sign up for weekly MAYOR AND BUDGET ONLINE E-editions of the Sun Gazette In Print & Online | Subscribe today! Sun GazetteFollow us on Facebook & Twitter Sungazette.news GREAT FALLS McLEAN OAKTON TYSONS VIENNA VOLUME 41 NO. 34 MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2020 Park Reopenings Will Oer Trac Relief Drivers Had Clogged G’town Pike and Neighborhood Streets for Weeks BRIAN TROMPETER nearby neighborhood streets. and I expect the National Park Service to are parking and their passengers, as well Sta Writer Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) do the same,” Foust said. as for people traveling on the Pike.” had been pressing FCPA and the National Even with parking lots opened, capac- FCPA spokesman Judy Pedersen The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Park Service, which operates Great Falls ity at Scotts Run Nature Preserve is lim- agreed that parking at Scotts Run has decision May 19 to reopen most of its sites Park, to make their parking lots available, ited, he added. been difcult for many years. The 336- and their parking lots starting Memorial thus easing the parking crunch and mak- “When the lots ll on a busy day, peo- acre park, created in 1970, has two park- Day weekend will provide some relief in ing the situation safer for motorists and ple park along Georgetown Pike, a road ing lots along Georgetown Pike: a small McLean and Great Falls, but residents pedestrians. that is narrow and has very limited berms one located on a short distance from In- and ofcials there still want to combat il- “I am pleased the Fairfax County Park in most parts,” Foust said. “This creates legal parking along Georgetown Pike and Authority nally agreed to open their lots, very dangerous conditions for those who Continued on Page 20 STUDENTS SOUGHT TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT The Chesapeake Bay Founda- tion is seeking local youth in- terested in participating in its student-leadership initiative for the coming year. The program is open to all stu- dents entering ninth to 12th grades and living in the Chesa- peake Bay watershed area, in- cluding Fairfax County. Interested? See information about the program in “Fairfax County Notes” on Page 11. ONLINE https://sungazette.news l On Facebook: sungazettenews l On Twitter: @sungazettenews @sungazettespts Local Postal Customer Postal Local We rescued over Please help us save even more 1,300 dogs & cats this year by donating or applying to become a foster parent at: PERMIT NO. 605 605 NO. PERMIT Frederick, MD Frederick, last year from PAID wolftrapanimalrescue.com U.S. POSTAGE U.S. ECRWSS euthanasia. PRSRT STD PRSRT You have Questions, Jean has Answers IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO SELL OR BUY A HOME? Now is a fabulous time to buy or sell your home! Because of the pandemic, the housing market took a downturn. However, the activity is already starting to bounce back in the Northern Virginia area. 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Call, text or email me for a free home evaluation or to learn how you can virtually sell or buy your next home. #AskJean NVAR Lifetime Top Producer Selling 102% List Price/Sales Price Weekly New Listings Weekly New Purchase Contracts New Active and New Coming Soon Listings for Virginia Total New Purchase Contracts for Virginia 2019 - VA 2019 - VA 2020 - VA 2020 - VA 1800 1800 1600 1600 1400 1400 1200 1200 1000 1000 800 800 600 600 400 400 200 200 0 0 March 2nd March 9th March 16th March 23rd March 30th April 6th April 13th April 20th April 27th May 4th May 11th March 2nd March 9th March 16th March 23rd March 30th April 6th April 13th April 20th April 27th May 4th May 11th Week Beginning Week Beginning Jean Beatty, Realtor® o. 703.738.9526 | c. 301.641.4149 | Licensed in VA, MD & DC [email protected] | www.JeanBeatty.com 1320 Old Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101 | 703.790.9090 Equal Housing Opportunity. Copyright 2020 - McEnearney Associates, Inc. REALTORS. Source: Bright™ MLS. Data deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 2 May 28, 2020 www.sungazette.news 9,700 Degree-Earning Mason Grads Honored Creating Normalcy When “Normal” Is Dementia Great Falls Assisted Living is members, to provide stimulating a memory care community activities for residents and to keep located in Herndon, Virginia, one a sense of calm, reducing anxiety of many communities affected by within an audience who at times George Mason University students sing May 22 during the university’s rst-ever “virtual” com- COVID-19. Known for their unique is unable to comprehend the mencement ceremony. approach to caring for individuals greater pandemic occurring BRIAN TROMPETER Abrams, a former Georgia gubernatorial diagnosed with dementia, their outside of the community. Sta Writer candidate who is the founder and director care team is challenged each of Fair Fight, an election-reform group. day with creating a sense of Great Falls Assisted Living is George Mason University’s rst-ever “While this is not the ceremony you ex- normalcy—and that was before managed by Artis Senior Living, “virtual” commencement May 22 was pected or deserved, your accomplishments the pandemic. “Like the rest of an organization whose mission abbreviated, but still offered nuggets of are extraordinary,” she told the class. “It is the world, our new normal is includes providing innovative advice for graduates heading into an un- my sincere hope that you do not dwell on different,” says Lynette Jacob, care—and their specially trained certain world. how your journey here ended, but instead MSW, Director of The Artis Way team has risen to the challenge. Mason interim president Anne Holton, focus on why it began and who you’ve be- Experience. “Our residents have “We have organized spa days who hosted a live-streamed ceremony oc- come along the way.” dementia, and we pride ourselves for residents, dog parades from The graduates came to Mason be- casioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, in offering an environment that neighborhood dog walkers, credited the class for reaching the point cause they had journeys worth pursuing, is safe and secure, providing window birthday parties and of graduation despite nancial, personal Abrams said. peace of mind to loved ones and family challenges. “I challenge you to remember the fears video conference calls,” recalls “And on top of everything else, you’ve that made you hesitate, the failures that and a sense of purpose for Jacob. Providing family members done it with a public-health and economic made you want to quit, the heartaches our residents.” the opportunity to safely “visit” crisis crashing in on you during your nal that nearly broke your will,” she said. with their loved ones is important semester,” Holton said. “You have a lot to “You fought through and channeled this Daily responsibilities at while the community has be proud of. I hope you will savor the mo- learning experience into a transformative communities like Great Falls restricted visitors. ment.” ambition to fully realize your purpose.” Assisted Living have changed This year’s class had 9,719 students The degrees being received did not rep- in recent months. Community “It is important that we keep earning degrees and 744 receiving certi- resent nished products, but instead set associates arrive on the frontlines the health and well-being of our cates. University ofcials bestowed 6,018 graduates on a trajectory toward a more every day with added safety residents and associates as our bachelor’s degrees, 3,222 master’s degrees, just, free and prosperous world, Abrams precautions in place to prevent highest priority,” says Jacob. The 306 doctoral degrees and 173 law degrees. said. the spread of COVID-19 among staff updates family members After citing several students’ outstand- “Your graduation is proof of your ca- residents and staff. Associates regularly through email, social ing efforts, Holton passed the video baton pacity to use your skills, and your stum- and residents are being screened media and phone calls regarding to student speaker Obum Egolum, who bles, wisely,” she said, adding that class with temperature checks several was graduating that day with a bachelor’s members should pursue their purposes protocols, and includes them in degree in information technology, with a unapologetically. times throughout the day, care and testing decisions. “This concentration in cyber-security and a mi- Like many video-conferencing calls to enhanced sanitation measures are is home to our residents—we’re nor in business. which the public in recent months has be- in place and specialized air units close to them and their family Egolum sympathized with graduates come accustomed, this one featured a sur- targeting bacteria in the air are members. We are their family. for not having an in-person commence- prise appearance from a family member. being used. They’re challenged to We’re blessed to know and serve ment ceremony this spring, but said he In Holton’s case, it was her husband, U.S. be creative with opportunities for them and to help them thrive.” was impressed at how the class came to- Sen. Timothy Kaine (D-Va.), who joked, residents to engage with family gether to nish its crisis-plagued nal se- “Hey, Honey, what are you doing in my mester. ofce?” before congratulating the gradu- “Journeys that take years are not de- ates.